“I Will Pay for Everything”: Shaquille O’Neal Once Offered to Save Bodybuilding Legend Who Had His Leg Amputated

Once described by Ronnie Coleman as the greatest bodybuilder he ever competed with, Flex Wheeler is an inspiration for people for more than one reason. His victories equally paralleled his achievements in bodybuilding over personal battles. In 1999, Wheeler found out about his focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, which eventually led to his leg amputation two decades later. Speaking in an interview last year, Wheeler breaks down recalling the horrifying moment and reveals how a basketball legend vowed to stand by his side during that time.

In 2022, Flex Wheeler sat down for an interview on ArnoldSportsFestivalUK and talked about his journey in bodybuilding. He also touched upon his personal struggles with kidney disease and leg amputation. He recalled a moment when he had an epiphany to help everyone who was suffering from the same ordeal. At that moment, an NBA legend from LA Lakers called him to offer his support. Wheeler never forgot this act of kindness.

Flex Wheeler’s morbid realization of no more bodybuilding after amputation

Wheeler recalled the painful moment he underwent his leg surgery. It wasn’t just physical pain but more about the emotional baggage of not being able to do bodybuilding again. It was during this low time, Shaquille O’Neal called him. O’Neal said on the call, “Hey don’t worry about it. Big man got you covered”. Wheeler replied, “What do you mean?” O’Neal responded, “I will pay for everything”. Coming from a legend like him, it meant everything to Wheeler.

Flex Wheeler had his leg amputated in 2019, and he kept tearing up frequently during the interview recalling that moment. He remembered how everyone in the hospital was crying with him while delivering the news. As a four-time Arnold Classic winner, it was as if the world was crumbling upon him. He said to the nurse, “Just take it”, referring to his leg. Wheeler realized he doesn’t have any choice on the matter and that if left unchecked, it could’ve killed him. But it was still a bitter pill to swallow for him.

READ MORE – “I Had Stretch Marks Everywhere” 4x Champ Flex Wheeler Paid a Heavy Price for Securing Prestigious Titles

It was right after the surgery, Wheeler discovered the struggle of living life with a disability. He then decided to raise his voice for amputees around the Globe. Wheeler said, “This is the time I really need to stand up, and I just made a decision that I wanna be a spokesperson for amputees around the world”. He pauses for a second to control his tears and then continues, “I wanna start an NPO for amputees ’cause it’s so expensive.”

Wheeler unbound gratitude to Shaquille O Neal, who called amidst discomfort

Wheeler admits that he and O’Neal weren’t friends and only knew each other through a mutual friend. However, it was a mighty noble act from O’Neal to offer his support, both financially and emotionally, to a fellow athlete. O’Neal’s generous offer befuddled Wheeler before he was touched by it.

Wheeler also mentioned why it was such a big deal for O’Neal to offer him support back then. Wheeler’s surgery took place in 2019, and around that same time, in a separate incident, Shaquille O’Neal had lost his sister to cancer. He helped Wheeler while dealing with his own grief.

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Flex Wheeler is an avid spokesperson for amputees now and always seeks to motivate anyone with his life story. He also closely follows Martial arts, something that interested him during his bodybuilding days, and often shares his views about it on social media.